Fiji News

Tests confirm asbestos on Lomaiviti Princess

Samples of suspected asbestos from the Lomaiviti Princess which was sent overseas for testing has returned positive.

Asbestos is harmful as it can cause lung cancer if inhaled.

Goundar Shipping, the owners of the ship previously declared the vessel was safe and that asbestos was only present in areas that passengers weren’t exposed to.

But as Roland Koroi reports, vessel owners, Goundar Shipping have been given an ultimatum to remove what’s been confirmed to be white and brown asbestos.

“FBC News first reported this story about two months ago amidst claims by Goundar Shipping that the vessel was safe. Following this, the Labour Ministry’s OHS department inspected the vessel and samples were sent to Australia. Although no official word on this issue has been forthcoming, FBC News has obtained access to a letter from the Labour Ministry, addressed to George Goundar on the 13th of this month, outlining the findings of their inspection.
The letter confirms the presence of brown asbestos in the boiler room of the vessel as well as white asbestos in the ceiling of the vessel. The letter also recommends that Goundar Shipping takes all appropriate measures to ensure that residues of asbestos containing material and asbestos dust are removed. The Labour Ministry has advised Goundar Shipping that they’re prepared to assist them in the removal of asbestos in accordance with the approved code of practice.
The Ministry says all this must be done before the 28th of this month and failure to do so, will result in the issuance of appropriate OHS notice under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1996. Attempts have been made to obtain a comment from Goundar Shipping.”